The Bulls have had some bad losses this season, but off the top of my head I can't think of any worse than Friday night's home loss to the short-handed Washington Wizards at the United Center.
After a solid first half, the Bulls completely fell apart at the start of the second half and once again showed they simply aren't a mentally tough bunch. After a couple of turnovers and bad shots, they just seemed to lose confidence and their problems snowballed from there.
They let the Wizards — who were playing without All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler — start the second half with a 22-1 run to turn a 52-34 Bulls halftime lead into 56-53 Washington lead with five minutes left in the third quarter. The Bulls made just 4 of 15 field goals and had 10 turnovers in the third quarter as they were outscored 35-14.
They weren't much better in the fourth quarter and couldn't make enough plays in the 97-91 loss.
To make matters worse, the Wizards are one of the teams the Bulls are trailing as they try to make a late-season playoff push. At 23-35, the Bulls need a remarkable finish to make the postseason for a fourth straight year. I seriously doubt this bunch is up to it.
John Jackson
Team: February 2008 Archives
Larry Hughes will make his first start for the Bulls when they host the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. Hughes was a last-minute addition to the lineup after Thabo Sefolosha was scratched due to the groin injury which kept him out of practice Thursday.
Also, as expected, Demetris Nichols was officially assigned Friday to the Iowa Energy, the Bulls D-League affiliate.
Ben Wallace will not play Thursday when the Bulls host Miami due to a death in his family. Look for Joakim Noah to start in place of Wallace. Head coach Jim Boylan said he likely will bring Kirk Hinrich off the bench for a second consecutive game. Ben Gordon (sprained wrist) and Luol Deng (Achilles tendinitis) remain out of the lineup. Thabo Sefolosha (groin) did not practice but is expected to start against the Heat.
Brian Hanley
